State plans to execute three killers this week - Texas on pace to execute 34 bad guys in 2002

Associated Press ^ | November 18, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[Sparta]

Texas on pace to log capital punishment in 34 cases for '02

Should read at least 34 murders prevented in '02 by executing killers, not giving them "life without parole".(Usually 20 years max)

[MeekOneGOP]

State plans to execute three killers this week
Texas on pace to execute 34 bad guys in 2002

Excerpt:

"It's become an assembly line of death," said Craig Ogan, the first of the three men set to die.

< snip >

Mr. Ogan, who says he longed for a job with the CIA, worked as a confidential informant for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, primarily in St. Louis, but moved to Houston in late 1989. After an armed confrontation with a drug dealer in a Houston restaurant, he called federal authorities for help and they arranged for police to house him in a motel.

On the night of Dec. 9, 1989, he got into an argument with the motel clerk over phone charges and the temperature of his room, walked outside and spotted a police car where Officers Boswell and Morgan Gainer were writing a traffic ticket.

Mr. Ogan, described at his trial as having an explosive temper, interrupted the officers repeatedly and refused their instructions to wait a few minutes. When he persisted, testimony showed, Officer Boswell got out of the car, his gun out but held down at his side, and was shot in the head by Mr. Ogan. Mr. Ogan tried running away but surrendered after he was shot and wounded in the back by Officer Gainer.

Mr. Ogan, speaking from death row, blamed Officer Boswell for the shooting and contended that his action was in self-defense.

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!

[Non-Sequitur]

Yes, but if we can maintain the 3 per week pace for the rest of the year then we can do better than 34. Let's shoot for 50 shall we?

[freeper12]

I think we need to get rid of the electric chair and start using the electric couch...three seats, no waiting...

[Living Free in NH]

Texas on pace to log capital punishment in 34 cases for '02

With 1331 murders in Texas last year (http://www.cjpc.state.tx.us/stattabs/crimeintexas/00CrimeSection_U.pdf), 34 isn't nearly enough...but it's a start, I guess.

[PGalt]

Good

[Feckless]

"It's become an assembly line of death," said Craig Ogan, the first of the three men set to die.

Us Texans appreciate efficient government.

[GailA]

The tone of this article is 180 degrees different than this pro-killer article killer's speak about hansen execution

[madrastex]

What if we set this up in shifts?And, offer our services to other states too wishy-washy to do their own executions?Ought to help our budget. Yee-hah!

[FITZ]

as the Texas death chamber is readied for its busiest week in almost two years.

They can do better ---why not try to break records. They should at least keep up with population growth.

[JacksonCalhoun]

I thought only George W. Bush executed people. At least that's what the media coverage was.

[BearCub]

Um, sounds like Ogan shot in self defense. As you know, a drawn gun is a no-no unless you intend to shoot. In fact, you are only justified in pulling a gun if you are also justified in shooting. That being the case, Ogan could reasonably assume he was going to be shot. Texas law says you can shoot a police officer if he is using unjustified deadly force. Case closed as far as I'm concerned.

[TheGrimReaper]

Little-noted fact about capital punishment:

Recidivism rate = 0%

[cajungirl]

Assembly line of death?? Hah,,no assembly line puts out this little product unless it is like Rolls Royce or something. They ought to speed up that line a bit.

[TheGrimReaper]

Yep... the sooner the murderers assume room temperature, the better.

[vannrox]

.


WHAT is taking them so long to execuite these people?
What ever happenned to a quick and speedy trial and punishment?


.

[shiva]

My question, too.

Ogan was 34 when he committed his crime. That was 13 years ago.....Chappell was 53. That was 13 years ago. Clark was 25. That was 9 years ago.

And don't you just hate when they call them 'Mr.'?

[TheBattman]

34 killers put to death in 2002 - sounds like a good START!